Former GOSSIP GIRL Boss Josh Safran on Why He’s Glad He Didn’t Know the Titular Blogger’s Identity — Plus Who Did He Think it Was?

Many GOSSIP GIRL fans were a little shocked when the series finale revealed that (spoiler alert, for those who plan to catch up on DVD some day) Dan Humphrey had been writing the revealing blog. And they weren’t the only ones.

“I did not [know],” former GOSSIP GIRL showrunner — and current SMASH boss — Josh Safran told me. “Over the years it shifted, but I think where they landed was absolutely the right place to go.”

While it might be frustrating for some people to have not known that key information while shaping the series, Safran saw it as something positive.

“I actually think it was better for all of us because it freed us up story-wise,” he noted. “I think if we had known, we would have gotten a little too suspended and wouldn’t have been able to do some of the plot stuff we were able to. It’s pretty great they waited until…I don’t know when [GOSSIP GIRL co-creator] Stephanie [Savage] knew. I had my own theories, we each had our own theories.”

The main suspect on Safran’s list? A certain van der Woodsen.

“For a while, I thought it was Eric,” Safran admitted. “We all thought it was Eric. But I don’t want to speak for anyone else, but I think it would have worked. But then Connor Paolo (Eric) wasn’t on the show anymore.”

And while Safran has been busy working on SMASH, he does know a bit about the social media sites that have popped up since GOSSIP GIRL’s series finale.

“I haven’t had the time to [look at the sites], but I think that show will stand the test of time,” he said. “I think what Stephanie and Josh [Schwartz] created was really a show of that period, and I think they capped it out so well.”

That’s not to say he doesn’t have a bit of regret for not being around for the show’s final year.

“I’m just so sad,” Safran — who had been with the show since its second episode — lamented. “111 [episodes] and not the final 10? I think I’ll always be sad. I wish I could have been at both places at once.”

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Make sure to check back soon for more from Safran about making the big move to SMASH!

I completely agree maddy. He was a terrible showrunner. Making him co-executive producer in S3 was the dumbest move Savage and Schwartz ever made. Safran completely destroyed the show. But I loved several of the episodes he wrote like 2×01. Curious to see if he can turn SMASH around or just continue his anti Midas streak. heh

fuck gg on
August 8th, 2013 6:58 pm

This guy is a terrible writer, he ruined gossip girl.
This show used to be so great but he destroyed it. I will never watch a show if this guy is involved.

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